YHA 2013: Young Hotelier Award

03/05/2013

The concept of the YHA is to encourage and support up-and-coming talents working in Vienna top hotels. The top prize is handed out in two categories – the Diversey Contest, aimed at under 25s in front line positions, and the Modul Contest, recognizing outstanding persons in the 25-35 age bracket.

Each year, selected candidates are given six months to prepare a presentation on one of three relevant themes deemed pertinent to the Vienna hotel industry. Expert lectures and discussions and feedback rounds are organized and offered to the contenders, who must prepare a 20 minute presentation in English on their chosen topic.

The following themes were posed for investigation by the YHA 2013 candidates:

1. Evaluate the possible impacts on the hotel industry in Vienna due to the installation of the third runway at the Vienna International Airport.

2. How can Vienna continue increasing average rate and yet stay competitive with destinations such as Prague, Budapest and Bratislava?

3. Social Media „Friend or Foe“? The significance of Social Media in the Hotel industry - Types, possible applications and developments by using different examples.

Presentations took place on April 2nd and 3rd at Le Méridien Vienna and were judged by a jury of industry leaders.

The Modul Contest, sponsored by Modul University, was won by Maaike Schoenmakers of the Hotel Imperial. Second place was claimed by Marvin Pelny of the Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom. He received the participation to the 2013 Think Tank held in Paris and organized by OneGlobe Network and CMH the International Hospitality Management School Paris.